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American Morning
Singer/Actress Aaliyah Dies in Place Crash
Aired August 27, 2001 - 11:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Experts from the U.S. are heading to the Bahamas today to help authorities there investigate the plane crash that killed singer and actress Aaliyah.
The Cessna went down Saturday evening just after taking off from Marsh Harbor Airport. All nine people onboard the small plane were killed. Baggage handlers reported that the aircraft was overloaded with suitcases.
Aaliyah was a rising rhythm and blues star, and she was on the island to make a new video. She was 22 years old.
Fans of Aaliyah are mourning her death today. CNN's Jason Carroll joins us now. He's in New York and he's got some reaction for us.
Jason, good morning.
JASON CARROLL, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Leon. We're in front of the Virgin megastore here in Times Square. When we were inside of the store a little earlier this morning, the first CD that they put on when the store opened was in fact the brand-new Aaliyah CD.
As you said, we've been out here speaking to fans all morning long. Right now I'm joined by three of them. We have Shannon (ph), Kiosha (ph) and Janae (ph), they're all from Baltimore. Two of them are singers, you two. So you can really relate to Aaliyah and her rise to stardom.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I can. To me, her music was really powerful and positive. It didn't seem as if she rushed her career, it seemed like she just let God guide her. I think that's why she was so positive and so popular.
CARROLL: Kiosha, why do you think she was so popular and reached out to so many people?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because her music was different, her sound her different, her look was different. She was just a positive person or whatever, and that's why I think she had a lot of fans.
CARROLL: She was also a role model for many young women. I know that you're only 12 years old, but was she a role model for you, and if so, why?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, she was a role model for me actually because she's very positive, she was never negative. And also she -- her music, anybody can relate to her music or how she's feeling. That's what I like, yes.
CARROLL: Any idea also why she seemed to be reaching out to so many other artistic endeavors? She was also going into acting, seemed to be popular there as well. What made her so popular?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Her music, her style, it's the type of personality. Do you know what I'm saying? Her singing, of course, or whatever.
CARROLL: Favorite song.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "The One I Gave My Heart To," I love that song, it's my favorite.
CARROLL: Favorite song.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Four Page Letter."
CARROLL: "Four Page Letter." Favorite song for you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Try Again."
CARROLL: All right. "Try Again." All right, thanks so very much. We really appreciate you all coming by. Good luck while you're here in New York, they're out here trying to get a record deal.
Once again, Aaliyah, who's life was cut so tragically short, many of the fans out here in New York City feeling the pain today. I'm Jason Carroll reporting from New York City for CNN.
HARRIS: All right. Thanks, Jason.
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